Ryder

by Amy Davies

  “Take care of her, Letty, and yourself. Bye.” I stand there watching Andy drive away and out of our lives. Taking a deep breath and turn and walk towards my dashingly handsome boyfriend, who is standing at the top of the steps waiting for me.

  “Why was another man kissing what’s mine?” He asks me when I reach him. I place my hand on his chest and I love the feel of his hard muscles beneath his t-shirt.

  “He was just saying goodbye, Ryder. There was no harm in it, so calm down, ok?” I smile and kiss his lips. I have the feeling that I am going to like Ryder being possessive over me because I know that he will be the same with my daughter.

  “As long as that’s all it was, Sunshine. Come on, your daughter wants a kiss before she goes to sleep. Reeve is in with her, singing to her.” I smile at him and we make our way into my apartment. When we enter, I see Rafe and Lucy sitting at the kitchen table chatting about Demi. Oh shit, Quinn was supposed to babysit. I send her a quick text letting her know that we aren’t going anywhere tonight and that I would call her in the morning to explain.

  I hear Reeve singing to Demi as I get closer to her bedroom. He is singing Gavin DeGraw’s ‘Chariot’ God I love that song but then again, I love anything by Gavin DeGraw. I see she is falling asleep so I go to step out but Reeve waves me into the room. He is laying on the bed with Demi curled into his side and I can’t help but catch my breath at the sight these boys. This family has accepted Demi and me as their own in such a short amount of time. I know I keep saying that the time thing maybe an issue, but I guess you can’t help what you feel. I walk over and lean in to kiss her head.

  I smile at Reeve. He is truly sex on a stick, but then again so is Rafe and well, obviously Ryder. They each have jet-black hair with beautiful green eyes. I go to step away but Reeve catches my wrist.

  “Go spend some time with my brother. I will stay here with Demi; I’m sure Rafe and Lucy will stay as well. You two deserve some alone time; Demi will be fine with us. Plus my brother needs to get laid” He winks at me and I take another look at my now sleeping daughter and leave the room. Ryder is leaning against my kitchen counter and Rafe and Lucy are still sitting at the table. This is the first time I have seen Lucy sitting on her ass and not on Rafe’s lap. I walk towards Ryder and he opens his arms for me; I stand between his legs and wrap my arms around his shoulder, burying my head in his neck. I can’t help but pick up the scent on him and damn the man smells delicious.

  “Letty, I have to say, you have one amazing little girl in there.” I smile at Rafe and he gives me mega-watt smile back in return; damn these Phoenix boys are hot. I know, Lucy and me are lucky bitches. Reeve joins us in the kitchen, helping himself to a beer in the fridge. Even though I have spent even less time with him it doesn’t bother me that he has made himself at home. I hate people not feeling comfortable in my home. I smile and look around everyone and my heart settles I’m happy with these people.

  “Thank you Rafe, that means a lot. I am just happy that Andy is staying away. He told me that it wasn’t him who wanted Demi in the wedding, it was his wife-to-be, Yvonne. He said that he was happy to leave her be. He wants to set up a trust fund for her for her future” I sink back into Ryder's chest and he kisses my neck causing my body to shiver, Reeve and Rafe laugh. Fucking men.

  “It’s the Phoenix Effect, Letty; get used to it, honey.” This comes from Lucy, who stands and makes her way over to Ryder and me. She pulls me in for a hug and leans to the side to hug Ryder and kiss his cheek. “We are gonna go and leave you two to have some time alone.” She drags Rafe and Reeve out of my apartment and I hear the door click shut. Ryder spins me around and kisses me. I pull on his belt loops and pull his body flush with mine. I can feel his hard-on pressing into my stomach. Ryder breaks the kiss and we are panting heavily.

  “Sooooo.” He lengthens the word “its Valentine’s Day tomorrow and I was wondering if I could take you out on a date, like a proper adult date. With lots of wining and dining and kissing and…” He trails off and winks at me.

  I run my hand down his body and cup his erection through his jeans. He gasps and I mentally high five myself again. “A Valentine’s Day date would be very nice, Ry” I lower the tone of my voice and whisper in his ear, “I have so many things … I want to do with this” I squeeze a little and his breath catches again. He surprises me by pulling away from me and heading for the door but he stops and turns to me; I can see the heat and lust in his eyes yeah he wants me just as much as I want him but I can see that he is trying to respect me. Knowing that makes me fall for him just that much more. Dammit, I guess Demi isn’t the only one that falls hard and fast.

  “I want you so bad, Letty, but I am going to be the gentleman my mom and dad raised and walk away right now before I take you over the kitchen table.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “I will pick you up tomorrow night. Night baby.” And with that he leaves me standing in my kitchen with a stunned look on my face and feeling all hot and flustered. My lady parts are pulsing and he just left me.

  Fucking Phoenix boys.

  The following day I walk Demi to day care before heading into work. I am on a full day today at The Hot Pot with Ben and Loren. I’m in the kitchen when I hear Loren calling my name. I lift the tray of mugs and push through the door and freeze. Ryder is standing there with a big bunch of flowers. A bunch of pink, white and green gerberas to be exact. My favorite. He smiles at me and I walk over to him. He kisses me on the lips and pulls away.

  “Good morning, baby and happy Valentine’s day.” My heart melts.

  “Morning, babe. You didn’t have to buy me anything.” I say, taking the flowers from him and kissing his cheek. Ruthie is there waiting to take them off my hands.

  “I will go and put these in water until the end of your shift.” I nod and turn back to Ryder; it’s then I see who he has walked in with and my body tenses just a little, even though he has explained who she is.

  “Baby, I want to introduce you to my cousins. This is Oscar and Sophie Davies.” I nod and smile at them, but Sophie pulls me into a hug. Ok then.

  “I am so damn sorry about the last time we met; I didn’t know it was you until we left and believe me, I ripped into him for the way he treated you.” She elbows Ryder and they laugh. The huge guy standing behind them isn’t taking any notice of us; he has his eyes firmly locked on Loren.

  I nudge Loren who blinks and looks from Oscar to me. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I smirk at her and wink.

  “She didn’t say anything, but I can see you weren't listening; you were too busy undressing me with your eyes as I was you, sweet girl” Oh holy shit, he is a true Phoenix. I shake my head while Loren blushes a whole new color of red.

  “I wasn’t undressing you with my eyes. I…I um.” She loses her train of thought as Oscar takes a step forward.

  “You what, Sweet girl?” He smiles at her. Loren stutters something that I can’t make out and turns on her heels and runs for the kitchen. Bless her heart. I turn back to Ryder and his cousins and smile.

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you both and yes, Ryder was an ass the last time we met and I’m sorry that you were caught up in the middle of that”

  “We are used to Ryder being an ass with the ladies, it’s a Phoenix trait. I remember when Ryder had that girl bent ov…” Ryder slaps Oscar across the back of the head and gives him a stern look.

  “Dude, what the fuck? You don’t tell my girlfriend about shit I have done in the past. Shut the hell up, man.” I smile at Sophie who is trying so hard not to laugh out loud.

  “Oh baby, but I wanna know about the girl you bent over.” I give him my sweetest smile and bat my eyelashes, but it doesn’t work. He kisses me so he doesn’t have to answer me; was he that much of an ass that he is too scared to tell me? He pulls away and kisses me on the nose and I can’t help but scrunch it up. Ryder smiles at me.

  “Cute, Sunshine. I will pick you up for our date tonight at seven. Be ready.” He gives me a chaste kiss a
nd walks to the door with Sophie and Oscar in tow but stops short “Dress for me, Letty and make sure it’s easy to take off.” With that he winks and walks through the door. I can’t reply I am frozen in place that he just said that in front of the whole shop. Oscar turns and laughs at me.

  “That’s the Phoenix Effect, Letty. Get used to it babe.” And he follows his cousin and sister.

  Chapter 13

  Letty

  Today was turning out to be hectic. Why couples want to come and sit in a coffee shop on Valentine’s Day is beyond me. Why don't people go out for a stroll along the beach or a nice quite lunch together, something more romantic that being here. But no, these dumb ass people are sitting here sipping coffee, kiss and nibbling on each other’s necks while I have to work and wait until tonight to see my man. He sent me a picture message via text about an hour after he left this morning. The picture made me choke on the mouth full of water I had just taken.

  Note to self: don’t drink or eat while opening any form of message from Ryder.

  The photo was of him lying in his bed naked with the sheet laying low on his hip bones and just his ball cap on, turned backwards, which is his signature. He was holding a single red rose to his mouth and giving me a seductive smile through the camera. By fuck, did he look edible. Loren tried looking but I quickly snatched my phone away and tucked it back into my back pocket. Loren quizzed me about Oscar; even though I told her multiple times that I only met him today. She wants the full scoop on him and I don’t know why because I know she won’t make a move, she is too shy for a guy like Oscar he looks high maintenance.

  I look at the clock and see that it’s only two o’clock but the flow of customers seems to be slowing down, thank God. My phone dings alerting me of a text. At least I am not eating or drinking this time. I see Mrs. Dawson’s name flash across my screen. I open the text and frown.

  Mrs. Dawson: I really hope you can forgive me but I can’t watch Demi tonight. I am so sorry but one of the ladies from my book club had a spill and is in the hospital, she has no family and I am driving over to stay with her. Again I am so sorry Letty.

  Oh no poor lady. I reply instantly.

  Me: No that’s fine, Mrs. D. Go make sure your friend is ok, don’t worry about tonight me and Ryder can go out another time. Keep me posted ok and drive safe.

  I text Ryder next and pray that he is ok with a nice quiet night in with me and Demi.

  Me: I lost my sitter for tonight, Mrs D had an emergency, she is ok but he friend is in the hospital. Would you be cool with staying in tonight and we can go out another night?

  Ryder: That sucks for Mrs D but yeah babe, we can stay in tonight. We can order in and watch a movie until Angel goes to bed and then you are all mine baby ;)

  I laugh at his response; typical man.

  Me: Sounds like a plan, but remember Mr Phoenix that you are all MINE as well ;)

  My words have a double meaning and I hope that Ryder understands them. Feeling rather confident I go back out front and help Ben with his orders. There are two girls shamelessly flirting with Ben but he isn’t interested in the slightest. My phone dings again and I chuckle to myself Ben gives me a curious smile but goes back to making his order. I check and my phone and smile when I see Ryder’s name.

  Ryder: Change of plans, Rafe and Lucy will babysit Demi. Lucy isn’t feeling too good and Rafe doesn’t want to take her out, so they were staying in. You ok with that plan?

  Me: Do I have a choice?

  Ryder: No baby. I trust them with Demi and you trust me….right?

  He’s right, I do trust him, but to be honest I feel that I can leave Demi with his brothers also.

  Me: I do trust you, babe. Come over earlier then so I can go through everything with Lucy.

  Ryder: Will do, baby. Cya later

  I love him calling me baby. Placing my phone in my back pocket once again, I turn to see Ruthie staring at me. What the hell?

  “What?” I ask her.

  “You like him, huh?” Random question. I tilt my head at her and frown.

  “Who?”

  “You know who, that sweet piece of candy that comes in here just to see your beautiful face”

  “Yeah, I like him. Why?” I blush with my answer.

  “It’s nice to see that kind of smile on your face. I know that you haven’t known each other long but you seem to fit together. I remember what that was like, Letty with my Bruce. God rest his soul.” she says, as she places her hand over her heart.

  “He was my light and I can see that Ryder is yours. I know you were happy before he came along but you seem different, you smile brighter and when you talk about him your eyes light up. Ryder is your light, Letty. Don’t let him go. Now, why don’t you go home and pamper yourself and get ready for the hot date you have tonight?” She winks at me and heads towards the kitchen.

  Has Ryder brightened up my life? Yep I think he has and I know that he has brightened up Demi’s.

  Collecting my bag from my locker and saying my goodbyes to everyone I head over to pick Demi up from day care before heading home. Demi and I have a blast getting pampered, she helps paint my nails luckily I use a nude color nail polish so you can’t see her mishaps I paint her nails with different colors because she wanted her fingers to look like a rainbow. Once we are finished with our nails, Demi helps me pick out something to wear.

  I want to wear my navy and white striped maxi dress and flat sandals but my darling daughter has other ideas. She comes out of my closet with a dress I bought a few weeks ago because it was on sale at Scarlett Avenue. It has a cream fitted top half with spaghetti straps, a thin brown leather belt and a blue floral bottom half that has a slight flare to it, I add my brown leather wedges and my brown leather bag that drapes across my body.

  “Hair down, Mama. Ryder likes it's when it down. I see him twisting your hair.” I smile at her because she is right; Ryder does like my hair down. My make-up is done and Demi is running the brush through my hair when the doorbell rings out.

  “Ryder, Uncle Rafe and Miss Lucy are here,Mama. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go” She jumps off the bed and heads for the front door.

  “Demi, slow down or you're gonna get hurt and then you can’t spend the night with Rafe and Miss Lucy.”

  We reach the door and Demi is bouncing up and down like an Energizer bunny. I open the door and there are Rafe and Lucy with a bag of toys from one of Demi’s favorite toy store. Oh God help me.

  “Hey guys, thanks for watching her for us tonight. Lucy, Ryder said you weren’t feeling well; are you sure you’re up for this? She can be a handful.” I point to where Demi and Rafe are in the floor already ripping the packaging off her new toys. I can’t help but smile at them; it’s amazing how easily they get along after a short time.

  “It’s just an upset stomach, we will be fine” She pokes her thumb behind her. “Ryder is just parking the car, he will be up shortly.” She walks over to where Rafe is playing with Demi and her new dolls they just bought her. I walk back to my bedroom to fetch my bag and I take one last look in the mirror before walking back into my living room. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Ryder sitting in the chair with Demi sitting on his lap chatting away; they look so happy. Ryder is listening to every word that comes out of her mouth. He isn’t just nodding and agreeing, he is actually listening to her and, my heart softens for him even more. They say a way to a woman’s heart is through her kids.

  Well, he is well and truly on his way into my heart.

  “Ryder, do you have a daddy?”

  “I did but he died and lives with the angels now. Why do you ask?” I hold my breath waiting for her reply.

  “Because I don’t know my daddy.” she says sadly and I can feel my eyes well up.

  “Aww Angel, you don’t need a daddy to be you. Your Mama has done an amazing job raising you into the little lady that you are on her own. I know that I am not your daddy, Demi, but I would like to be in you and your Mama’s life. Do you think that’
s cool?” I put my hand over my chest and press, trying to relieve the ache that is there. Why hasn’t she brought this up before?

  “That’s way cool. I gotta tell Mama” She jumps off his lap and starts towards me but stops when she sees me. Ryder stands and Rafe and Lucy turn in their seats to see me standing behind them. I look down at my daughter, who has never asked about her dad before but sees fit to bring it up now. Does she see Ryder as a father figure? She has spending time with Ryder and his brothers sparked something in her?

  “Why are you crying, Mama?” I bend at the waist to pick her up I kiss her cheek and smile at her.

  “Why haven’t you asked about your daddy before now? Has something happened in day care, Demi?” She shakes her head and her hair is flying around in all directions.

  “I see Blake’s daddy all the time and my daddy never picks me up, Mama, just you or Auntie Quinn.” Shit. Before I can answer, Ryder is at our side. He places one hand on my lower back and one hand around Demi’s back.

  “Angel, would you like me to pick you up from day care one day? Maybe when I don’t have class I can pick you up and we can go for lunch or maybe go to the park?” He looks at me with a smile on his beautiful face, “That’s if it’s ok with your Mama?” Demi’s head is nodding yes vigorously and I laugh.

  “Ok, we will set up a day; that ok with you baby?” I ask Demi and she doesn’t answer she just kisses Ryder’s cheek and wriggles free and runs towards Rafe and Lucy.

  “Yay, Uncle Rafe, Mama said that Ryder is going to be my new daddy and pick me up from day care” My eyes go wide and my breathing stop. Where the hell did that come from?

  Rafe’s eyes go as wide as mine and he looks between Ryder and me. Fuck me he is going to bolt. Before I lose him before this can even get started, I have to step up and fix this. I leave Ryder standing there, staring at my daughter and I walk over to where she is sitting with Rafe.